Frankie Cocozza has been kicked off The X Factor for bragging about snorting cocaine.

The 18-year-old shocked show staff with his boasts about the Class A drug. They were left with no choice but to tell senior executives.

It is also claimed Frankie Cocozza, who gloated on Sunday’s show that he had had just half-an-hour’s sleep, dabbled with the drug ahead of his weak performance on Saturday.

Bosses felt they had to axe him from the competition as the scandal could damage the ITV1 show’s family-friendly image.

Frankie’s exit has thrown the show into crisis ahead of this weekend’s shows. Bosses are locked in talks to decide whether to replace him with one of the rejects.

Last night the Brighton teenager packed his bags and left the X Factor mansion, admitting his life had spun out of control.

He made a grovelling apology to his fans and show mentor Gary Barlow, 40. “I’d like to apologise to Gary, my fellow contestants and everyone who has voted for me but, as of today, I will no longer be in The X Factor,” he said.

“My life during the show has gone out of control and my behaviour off stage has over-stepped the rules of the competition.

“I no longer deserve my place in the show, so I am therefore leaving. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me.”

Tattooed Frankie has built a reputation as a rebel thanks to his boozy nights, sex-crazed behaviour and foul-mouthed rants. During six weeks on the show he bedded five women in one night and enjoyed car park flings with two girls during the same lager-fuelled party.

After Saturday’s show he went clubbing before heading to a wild house party with three girls. Frankie admitted he only entered the show to have sex with women.

Take That star Gary said he had given up trying to control Frankie as he is a “nightmare”. Gary warned him: “Every time I open a newspaper and it’s got your name in, I think: ‘There’s a load of votes gone.’”

The teen leaving the show has come as a hammer blow to Gary, who told the Daily Star during the Judges’ Houses stage that he feels responsible for his acts’ welfare.

Last night the songwriter said: “Frankie has apologised publicly as well as personally to me and the producers for his actions that led to him leaving the show.

“I’m hugely disappointed he’s thrown away this opportunity after working so hard to get here.

“I hope Frankie continues to look to me as a friend and supporter and works it out, picks himself up and tries to turn this into a positive.”

Frankie’s father Frank added: “I’m absolutely heartbroken for Frankie. He will be devastated. “I only spoke to him last night on the phone and he said he was going to really knuckle down.”

It is not the first time Frankie has been linked with narcotics. His first girlfriend Yasmin Griffith, 18, told how he turned to former legal high mephedrone when they split last year.

An X Factor spokesman said: “Frankie is leaving the show after breaking competition rules.

“He is going to take some time out before continuing his career as a singer. We wish him all the best.”